Broederstroom | |
|---|---|
Dusk near Broederstroom, a section of theCrocodile River | |
| Coordinates:25°48′49″S27°52′17″E / 25.81361°S 27.87139°E /-25.81361; 27.87139 | |
| Country | South Africa |
| Province | North West |
| District | Bojanala Platinum |
| Municipality | Madibeng |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| PO box | 0240 |
| Area code | 012 |
Broederstroom is avillage situated beside theR512 road on the Daspoortrand (former Pretoria district) in theWitwatersrand, the southern foothills of theMagaliesberg inNorth West Province,South Africa. It grew from aVoortrekker settlement which was established in the wake ofMzilikazi's depopulation of the region during themfecane.[1] Various small to medium-sized businesses, overnight facilities, farm houses and informal settlements are located beside or just off the R512 on the western bank of theCrocodile River. The loose aggregation of residences and businesses are bisected by Jalalpor road running west to east, and Bart Pretorius road running south to north. The sprawling Pecanwood Golf Estate is some 4 km to the north, on the shore of theHartbeespoort Dam.

Early Iron Age farmers were present here from the 6th century onwards, and theBaFokeng dominated the landscape from the start of 16th century. They suffered greatly during themfecane of the 19th century,[1] and theVoortrekkers entered the area immediately afterwards. The village is named after three brothers of GeneralAndries Pretorius, namely Piet (H.P.N.), Bart (H.A.) and Wynand Pretorius, who established themselves here in the mid 19th century; the name is derived fromDutchbroeder, meaning 'brother'[2] andstroom, meaning 'stream'. Bart Pretorius built a house here around 1845.Andries Pretorius joined his younger brothers here in 1848, and his sonM.W. Pretorius was likewise a resident. Well-known Afrikaans writerSangiro was born in Broederstroom in 1894, and starting 1924, Afrikaner historian and language activistGustav Preller visited the area, and eventually established him at nearby Pelindaba.[3] Preller in turn was regularly paid visits byEugène Marais, besides various artists and intellectuals.
Pelindaba is located some 5km east of Broederstroom, and houses two nuclear reactors for research purposes. Pelindaba is the southern section of former Welgegund farm, acquired from the state by Swart Martiens Pretorius before the end of the 19th century.[3] The western section of Pelindaba, accessed via gate 3, is a conserved area which includes Preller's House, a National Monument since 1973. The Phalandingwe hiking trail starts at the house, follows the Crocodile River, and passes the historic grave yard.

The Lion Park was founded by the Chipperfields Circus in November, 1966. Located in the Gauteng-Tshwane complex, the climate is perfect forhighveld fauna and the native animals found in this park. The Park is split into two areas.Herbivores andcarnivores are separated and herbivores such aszebra,giraffe and otherantelope are available for close-up viewing. The carnivores include three prides oflion and one clan ofhyena. They are surrounded by barriers and fences to protect each pride from one another. Lions are extremely territorial and will attack if intruders enter their terrain. The lions housed here are indigenous toMozambique,Zimbabwe,Limpopo, andBotswana.[4] The Lion park is open all year from 08:30 to 17:00.[5]
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